Weekend review

Merry Moon’s Day dear reader! Are you all … erm … both … well, YOU (yes, you) fair of face today? Only 186 days left before we say goodbye to 2010 AD. Interesting note about June 28, it is the only date in the year where both the month (6) and the day (28) are different ‘perfect numbers’. (OK, so perhaps ‘interesting’ is a bit of a stretch)

I do hope you enjoyed the silky smooth vocal stylings of the lovely Ms. Melody Gardot from my last post. Ain’t she just the bee’s knees?

So, I’m sure you’re dying to hear about the show and my weekend. Who am I to deprive you of such information? Surely, I shan’t be keeping secrets from YOU, shall I?

Friday evening was my last chance to get in a bit of practice (read: hunker down and learn) the songs for the show on Saturday. After my work day, when I arrived back at Chez Moi, I grabbed the list of tunes and went down the line alphabetically, jotting notes (get it, ‘notes’?) regarding the key, any significant and/or unexpected changes in the song structure and what note the song starts on (for my part).

About half-way through the list, I started getting bored (I know, terrible, isn’t it?). I started again from the bottom of the list this time, to give those X, Y, and Z titled tunes their fair shake at being at the head of the line. Again, the method grew tedious and I MAY have slacked off a bit again as I approached the mid-point of the list.

Somewhat satisfied with my knowledge of the greater portion of the list, and resigned to ‘faking’ my way through the few numbers that I didn’t have under my fingers, I called it an evening and moved on to other matters.

Saturday morning was devoted to things non-musical; namely, picking up my new dining room table and chairs. I had enlisted the help of the lovely Ms. D (she who has an SUV). We went to ‘breakfast’ (it was about 10:30 AM) at the renowned International House of Pancakes and then to Value City Furniture to get the aforementioned dining room set.

I was a bit surprised that the table and all four chairs were packaged in one box! Luckilly, the thing slid perfectly into her vehicle and off we went.

Now I just have to put it all together (presumably a much simpler project than the entertainment armoire).

Back to Saturday: I had hoped to have a couple of spare hours to work on the bits of the songs that were stymieing me, but ended up running behind schedule. I only had time to shower, pack my gear and head over to the guitar player’s house to help him load up and get going to the venue.

We managed to make it to Gurnee, IL by about 5:30 PM and began setting up on what turned out to be an oppressively hot and humid day. The band started the first set at around 7:30.

Private parties have their plusses (the band is in no way obliged to be responsible for the number of people in attendance or promote the event) and minuses (the audience usually includes a good portion of OAPs and young children, both groups never pleased with the volume or song selection). But that contingent typically leaves early and the dedicated revelers are all that is usually left by the second set, and those folks are generally well into their cups by then, making for a more receptive and interactive group.

Our last number ended around 11:30 I’d guess, leaving what I thought was only the breaking down of the equipment, packing it all back into the vehicles and calling it a night. However, the guest of honor wanted to continue the party at his residence so, after the hour needed to load-out, we headed over and played a short acoustic set.

It was about 3:00 AM when we finally called it a night and started back to the guitarists. Four o’clock found me lying on his couch, my phone’s alarm set for 7:30 so I could get up and get back to civilization in time to watch the Germany/England World Cup match.

What did YOU do this weekend, dear reader?

Melody Gardot - Baby I'm A Fool

Monday - June 21

Hello and good morning and a very happy Monday to you all, dear readers!

You’ll never guess what I did Saturday. Go ahead, guess.

Nope…try again.

Uh-uh, one more try?

Sorry. I’ll tell you.

I went DANCING!

Yes, I know!!! How very un-like me. I’ll tell you how it came about.

My friend Mark (a.k.a. Rhino, a.k.a. The Mayor of Waterford a.k.a. Big Mark) sent me a text a few days prior to the event asking if I had plans for Saturday. Me being me had none of course, and I told him as much. He then went on to inform me that his neighbor (we’ll call her J) was sans partner for the evening.* I agreed to attend.

Saturday came and off we went to the VFW Hall. The group of us was the youngest bunch there, which REALLY says something as we’re not exactly fresh off the fruit truck ourselves. Apart from the way everyone was dressed (did I mention that Mark called me as I was getting ready to leave and mentioned “No jeans, no gym-shoes” (that’s sneakers to you lot) ?) it was straight out of the ‘50s if you ask me.

The evening began with a brief mambo lesson and then moved on to a pre-programmed series of tunes that cycled through the various dances: tango, cha-cha, fox trot, etc. I was dead lousy at ‘em all, but gamely went ahead and did my level best.

Also, the VFW Hall had a room next door to ours that held a 60 foot long bar serving the cheapest drinks found anywhere I know. A round of adult beverages for six was a mere $17! Contrast that with a typical Chicago watering hole where the same order would be in the neighborhood of $60.

* Mark and his wife, along with their other neighbors Mark (as if that’s not confusing) and HIS wife have been taking ballroom/latin dance lessons. Their mutual neighbor and friend J has become the alternate in the event one of the ladies (or, in fact one of the gentlemen) cannot make it to the week’s lesson. Once a month, they have what I’ll call a dance social where the couples can dance the night away using the steps taught over the course of the course.

Tuesday - June 15

Can you believe the year is just about 1/2 over?!?! Where does the time go?

So, after failing miserably at both tracking my spending and the cessation of smoking (cessation means stopping, right?), I think I'll take a more lax approach next month (yes, I'm postponing until next month,what of it?).

Meanwhile, the band is working towards having enough material to play an opening set. Rehearsals are being held in fits and starts what with everyone (else) having other bands to worry about, wives to appease and children to parent. We'll get there, though.

Coincidentally, our guitar player's other (main) band has a private party booked coming up and their bass player can't make it, so he asked if I would fill in. That'll be a fun and daunting experience. Fun in that I enjoy playing to a crowd and daunting because I have a week or so left to learn all 58 songs (Yikes).

What have YOU been up to, dear reader?

Update - day whatever

Erm...let's talk about something else.

(goes to corner...feels shame)

Fail

So, while I did have an interesting weekend, I did not manage to maintain my flawless status for June goal achievements.

My spending showed a significant spike, but I still managed to avoid the McBurgerFriedBellHuts of the world.

I also succumbed to the cravings of the Dark Mother and once again suckled at her smoky teat.

But, as we’re all human (we are ALL human, aren’t we? I mean if a non-human is reading this, I certainly would appreciate you identifying yourself because I’m going to have a LOT of questions) I’ll simply do my best to shake off the slip-ups and move in a generally forward direction.

Weekend in review: (spoiler alert – I’m going to tell you how it ended)

FRIDAY – M(1) and his wife S, along with their neighbors M(2) and HIS wife B have been going to dance lessons every Friday for the past couple of months. Afterwards, they typically go out to dinner or get together at someone’s house to socialize and enjoy the evening. Another one of their neighbors, J (no relation) is the alternate, going along whenever one of the principal dancers can’t make it. As she is currently unattached and it was noted that I, too, am unattached, S and B arranged a group outing last Friday that included J and me.

M(1), M(2), B and J all smoke and M(1) happened to have the remains of a pack of Camel Crush. I ended up having those over the course of the evening.

In less disappointing Friday news, the food was incredible! We feasted on a variety of appetizers including but not limited to: clams casino, the best mussels I’ve ever had (whatever liquor 42 is (an ingredient in the sauce) I must find it and use it in my cooking), bacon wrapped scallops, crab cakes, goat cheese in marinara sauce, and spinach/artichoke dip.

The tab was amazingly reasonable (each ‘couple’ got their own bill) at less than $40 for “our” portion.

SATURDAY – I got a new flat screen television to fill the TV sized hole in my new entertainment amoire. While I did not get the absolute cheapest model, I did select a relatively inexpensive brand that does not provide too much more than I need (which is not a lot, really).

I also met up with a co-worker who flies RC Airplanes as a hobby. He was taking a couple of his flyers out and I tagged along to watch and enjoy the outdoors a bit.

On my way home, I managed to do a bit of grocery shopping, spend, spend, spend and really not all that much to show for it.

Unexpectedly, D & L invited me out to dinner and a movie. Our meal was at Outback (I was in the mood for steak of some sort) and the film was Killers. More spending, but I think it was worth it to share an evening with a couple of great friends. Also, L is a smoker so I bummed a couple/few off of her over the course of the evening.

SUNDAY – I didn’t do much of anything. I didn’t spend money, I didn’t smoke and I didn’t eat poorly.

Not exactly back to the start, but a few missteps along the path. I won’t beat myself up too much for it, though. I’ll leave that bit up to you, dear reader.

Day Next (three, I believe)

Yesterday was a good day, all things considered.

I managed to stay cigarette and fast-food free all day, which included rehearsal in a smoky room and the consuming of cigarette craving inducing adult beverages.

Spending was limited to a 12 pack of beer (it was my turn to buy) totaling $10.49.

I've already spent $58.55 today ordering new contacts, but that's just the cost of passable vision.

Next week, I need to do something about this exercise I've heard so much about. Apparently it's supposed to do wonders for the body.

Day Two - summary

Well, day two was a Pyrrhic victory.

I did NOT have any cigarettes, even though I went out to a bar to watch the hockey game, and boy-oh-boy does a beer make one want to smoke, but I was a good boy, yay me.

I also did NOT go to any fast-food restaurants. I brought my lunch from home and did not supplement it. I did, however purchase a sandwich from the 7-Eleven in lieu of a proper dinner.

Where I feel I fell on this day was my spending: $40 at the bar. A bit over my budget (at least in my head for a month where I'm trying to get a handle on expenses). Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.

P.S. Splenda is expensive, Kool-Aide is not that tasty and water is just boring.

So far, so good.

Day One was a success. No cigarettes and no fast food stops.

I had brought a sandwich for lunch, but ended up eating it sometime in the mid-morning (did I ever mention I don’t eat breakfast as a rule?). So at lunch time I went over to Mama & Papa ‘Shot’s and visited for a bit, which is always, often, sometimes nice.

I’ve got to admit that the drive home from work included a couple of moments of minor temptation. I sure am programmed to light up when I get into the car. I could feel my body willing me to turn into the gas station* (petrol to you Brits) for a pack of Newport Lights. However I resisted and soldiered on.

When I got near home, I realized how hungry I was and remembered how yummy the new Mushroom and Swiss Angus Beef Burger from The Golden Arches is, but again resisted the urge.

I decided that I’d better stock up on some foodstuffs for the bat-cave and went to Jewel-Osco. Managing to avoid anything that might resemble actual healthy food, I spent about $25 on a variety of snack items and lunch supplies (read Asian noodle soups).

Of course, over the span of the evening I managed to devour a good portion of the afore-mentioned snack items (le sigh).

Even so, I brought lunch for today, don’t plan on smoking and will update you all, both?, … erm… you as the month progresses.

* NOTE: The prices in the gas station photo are historical if not downright mythical.